Jet Aviation has returned to the Dubai airshow with news that it is to invest in a new state-of-the-art facility at its base in King Khalid International airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The move is designed to “demonstrate its ongoing commitment to the region” and to “accommodate future traffic volume increases” to the kingdom's capital and main financial hub.
The business aviation services provider has been handling aircraft, passengers and crew in the Gulf state for 40 years, with Jeddah home to its first fixed-base operation in the country. Riyadh was added to its line-up in 1981, and facilities in Medina and Yanbu followed in 2012 and 2018 respectively.
Jet Aviation says the newly designed FBO at King Khalid is fully equipped to handle all types of aircraft. Scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2020, the 6,000sq m (64,600sq ft) facility features a large customer lounge, three VIP lounges, a conference room, a duty-free shop, a prayer room, and weather and flight planning facilities.
The FBO also features an office located airside for handling and line crew.
“We look forward to moving to our newly refurbished FBO in the new year,” says Khaled Al-Ghamdi, general manager of Jet Aviation in Saudi Arabia. “The more spacious facility is designed to accommodate future traffic volume increases in Riyadh, while continuing to ensure the highest safety, comfort and design standards.”
Meanwhile, Jet Aviation says it has added 36 aircraft to its global management fleet this year, including four in the Middle East. The USA accounts for 24 of the new additions with four each in Asia and Europe.
